NASHUA – Nearly 50 volunteers from Keller Williams Realty spent Thursday morning working with the local nonprofit ReGenerative Roots to expand and improve the current raised bed garden at Nashua High School North as part of their RED (Renew, Energize and Donate) Day.

RED Day is an annual day of service that Keller Williams employees participate in on the second Thursday of May to give back to the cities and towns in which they work.

The slogan of the day was Give Where you Live, as noted by Keller Williams realtor and co-chair of the organization’s cultural committee, Ann-Marie Gallant.

Gallant’s role of the day was getting everything organized.

“It’s all about us doing something together for the community,” Gallant said.

In addition, her son Jake took part in ReGenerative Root’s High School Internship Program. He was able to learn about growing vegetables, hydroponics, bee-keeping, community supported agriculture, aquaponics, and food systems through hands-on learning experiences.

She said they kept in touch with Executive Director Andrew Morin.

“While I was doing (the internship) I really enjoyed spending time outside and a lot of people don’t appreciate that anymore. It’s so beautiful outside nowadays, why not spend it outside?” Jake said.

Elizabeth LeClaire-Ferbush, who is co-chairs with Gallant, said it is nice for young students to see the process of growth from a seed or seedling to a fruit.

“It’s great to help and give back,” LeClaire-Ferbush added. “Regenerative Roots is a wonderful organization.”

With the help of volunteers, along with ReGenerative Roots Director of Community Development Anthony McMullen and volunteer Craig Ouellet, Morin said the event went well.

“We were able to get another 10 raised beds, move 10 yards of soil and get more than 50 people in the community involved in the process,” Morin said.

In the past, interns have taken care of the raised garden at the school. Morin said this year, interns will once again be tending to the gardens, and subsequently, family and consumer science teachers and biology teachers will be utilizing the area. They also plan to donate crops to North’s Titan Food Pantry.

Morin said it is important for students to learn how to grow their own healthy food, get outdoors and be actively involved in the community.

Within the next few years, Morin’s goal is to transform the entire quarter acre behind the school into an educational farm, in conjunction with the creation of a horticulture/sustainable agriculture CTE program. Next year’s internship program will also be counted as credit for students.

Grace Pecci may be reached at 594-1243, or at gpecci@nashuatelegraph.com.

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